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IACUC Guidelines: Xenopus Oocyte Harvest

Guidelines: The IACUC has provided a set of guidance documents (Policies, Guidelines, and Informational Sheets) for use when planning animal procedures at the University of Iowa. An exception to a Guideline must be described and justified in the Animal Protocol and approved during the normal review process.

Purpose
The purpose of these guidelines is to provide direction for personnel conducting survival oocyte harvest on Xenopus frogs at the University of Iowa. These guidelines are intended for use by properly trained personnel listed on an IACUC-approved Animal Protocol who will be performing approved surgical procedures on Xenopus, or assisting with those procedures. Deviation from these guidelines must be described and justified in an IACUC-approved Animal Protocol.

Instrument and Equipment Sterilization

It is best practice to start each surgery session using sterile instruments, surgical supplies and wound closure materials At a minimum start with clean instruments (free of gross debris) that have had their tips sterilized with a dry bead sterilizer

It is not recommended to use chemical sterilants for equipment used for frog surgeries; improperly rinsed instruments can negatively impact the health of the frogs

If a sterile instrument or sterile glove comes in contact with a non-sterile item, it is NO LONGER STERILE